The Kuala Lumpur High Court judge who was originally slated to hear Bersih chief Maria Chin Abdullah's suit against Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos had asked that he be recused from hearing the case.

Maria's lawyer N Surendran said Justice Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab, who replaced Justice S Nantha Balan, told him this in chambers.

"Justice Zaki said he and Nantha Balan manage cases at both their respective courts namely NCVC10 and NCVC9 civil courts.

"Justice Nantha Balan had asked to be recused and that is why Justice Zaki has taken over and the matter was informed to Federal Court judge Azahar Mohamed," said Surendran.

Justice Zaki wants to clear the air over this issue following media reports, the lawyer, who is also Padang Serai MP, added.

When asked the reason for Justice Nantha Balan's recusal, Surendran said he does not know.

Last week it was reported that lawyers for Maria were puzzled why the case was transferred to another judge without any reasons given.

Maria had filed the suit against Jamal following the allegations made by the red-shirts leader that Bersih was infiltrated by the Islamic State.

Jamal should come forward

Surendran today urged Jamal to come forward to accept the sealed copy of the suit.

He said his law firm had tried but failed to serve the documents on Jamal at his home and office.

“We had in the past served papers on ministers and others without any problems. Occasionally lawyers come to have such problems.

“For such a high profile person, who is an Umno division leader, he seems to be shying away. We hope Jamal would come forward to accept the documents for him to have his day in court. The truth will eventually come up in court and that the allegations made against Maria and Bersih are completely untrue,” Surendran said.

The lawyer said the firm will now fix an appointment to serve the papers on Jamal tomorrow, failing which they would have to perform it via substituted service, such as by registered post or notification through newspapers.

Surendran said the next case management has been fixed on Nov 10 pending the serving of the documents.